Recipes for a dozen edible giftsincluding fudge, Cheddar shortbread, barbecue sauce, and macaroonsplus where to buy the best alternatives to homemadeBy Megan O. Steintrager

Jam

The vibrantly colored jars of Mixed Berry Jam pictured here only require three ingredients (fruit, sugar, and lemon juice) and a few hours of your timethe result is an edible gift that can be stored for up to a year. Make several batches, and you'll always have grab-and-go house gifts on hand. (See our feature on Canning and Making Preserves for more recipes and tips.)

More than one Epicurious editor is addicted to the raspberry and blackberry jams from Beth's Farm Kitchen, a small Hudson Valley purveyor that sells at New York farmers' markets. The jams, jellies, preserves, chutneys, and pickles are sold online individually and in pretty gift boxes.